The Hero Initiative, the charitable organization dedicated to helping veteran comic creators in medical or financial need, celebrates the birthday ofJack “King” Kirbyon August 28 with a little help from The King’s family.

Hero has recruited 100 artists to get up on the morning of August 28, 2012 to simply “Wake Up and Draw.” This new event is a way for artists to limber up, get the creative juices flowing, and celebrate the day by drawing and sending a “birthday card to Jack.” All 100 drawings will be featured in a special gallery on Comic Art Fans, and fans can follow the action through the day on Twitter searching hashtag: #WakeUpAndDraw. All drawings will be auctioned to benefit Hero Initiative at a later date!Neal Kirby, son of Jack, and artistTim Seeleyare featured in aspecial YouTube video on the event at the link.

AndJillian Kirby, Jack’s granddaughter, has spearheaded the “Kirby4Heroes” campaign. Jillian has recruited a number of comic stores to donate a percentage of their sales to Hero on August 28, and encourage their customers to make donations as well. Fans can donate via the PayPal link at www.HeroInitiative.org, and type in “Kirby4Heroes” in the special instructions box. Jillian has teamed up with Seth Laderman, head of production from the Nerdist Channel, to produce a video spotlighting the campaign. Check outJillian’s YouTube video on the event at the link.

“Though my grandfather Jack unfortunately died the year before I was born, I am surrounded by books, artwork, and of course family stories and anecdotes so much that I feel like I’ve known him my whole life,” said Jillian Kirby. “Even though I never had the opportunity to know him personally, I have learned my grandfather was a very giving and charitable man. I know my grandfather would have been the first to lend the Hero Initiative his support.”

Neal Kirby adds, “By supporting the Hero Initiative through the ‘Kirby4Heroes’ campaign and ‘Wake Up and Draw,’ comic book fans can honor my father on his 95th birthday in the same manner that he would have.”

I am Tom Kuhn Jr., 56 years old, single and living in Somerset, New Jersey. I'm a semi-retired computer technician and I do volunteer work in computer operation and maintenance for senior citizens and retirement communities in my township. I myself am disabled now with a hip replacement from an osteo-arthritic condition in my legs that developed earlier in life. Bummer? Yes, but I used the extra time I have to learn more about computers and online operations which also led to my interest in collecting pinup and comic-fantasy art.

2. Which piece in your gallery is your favorite?

The favorite art piece from my collection? That's rough since I do love them all! But I would have to say that right now it is my "Paradox" Ithaka face by Joe Linsner. The facial structure and background details and coloring are masterfully done by Joe and the character Ithaka is from one of Joe's short stories that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading over the years. But if you asked me the same question next month, I would probably pick a different piece---that's just how tight my love is for them all!

3. How long have you been collecting comic art and what prompted you to start?

I started out on my first art-venture with my attraction to Joseph Linsner's fantasy characters Dawn and Dark Ivory. I began around 2004 or so by collecting Cry For Dawn comics and assorted Dawn/Dark Ivory related items like sketchbooks, figurines, etc. mostly from ebay or the website for Dawn fans run by Linsner. Then one day Joe's website (Linsner.com) ran an art auction/sale from which I acquired my very first art piece done by Mr. Linsner. That was it, I was hooked!! I had contracted pinup phobia which has blossomed into the collection I now have represented here on CAF. Along the way I have become acquainted with many fine artists and art collectors who are for the most part terrific people. Many are very kind and generous and some have become good friends of mine as well.

4. How do you display/store your collection at home?

My home in NJ doesn't boast a lot of wall space so most of my art stays hidden from light in my portfolios. But I have a half dozen pieces up in frames that are interchangeable. So when the mood grabs me, I open up a portfolio and switch out one or two of my art pieces. I like it that way because I get to relive the feelings of exhilaration similar to when I first set eyes on each one of my new acquisitions!

5. What are your top five most wanted original pages or commissions?

I don't collect inner pages--not yet anyway! So for my most desired commissions, right now my number one mission is to obtain the ultimate Dejah Thoris. I read the Edgar Rice Burroughs books in high school and I've had a big crush on the Martian princess ever since. Now that the movie is out, the desire to get a Dejah Thoris commission is stronger than ever. After that I'd go for Dawnstar, Vampirella, Medusa, and finally a Scarlet Witch. All these would be full sized art paper (approx.11 x 17), full length body and full color (mixed media or acrylic paint). I have a couple really nice Vampirellas but none are commissioned. Artists like Budd Root, Scott Lewis, Claudio Aboy, and Joe Pekar are among my favorites so I would generally get one of them to do my commission. Dave Hoover (R.I.P.) was a fine artist and favorite of mine too. Sadly his untimely death has deprived many of us from getting a commission from him.